Walt Disney World has been implementing various discounts on admission and hotel stays in response to increasing customer dissatisfaction and declining attendance at its parks over recent months.
Starting in May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages allowing visitors to enjoy Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom are still sold separately.
These reduced ticket prices, available until September 24, mark a significant drop from the previous peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Disney is also working to lower the overall cost for guests visiting the Florida resort by providing discounts on its budget hotel accommodations. A stay at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can drop to as low as $100 per night, depending on booking dates. These reductions can represent discounts of up to 27% compared to regular rates, as reported in a Bloomberg analysis.
Additionally, the parks have rolled out new dining packages this summer that can reduce meal costs by 20% to 30%. Families can buy all-day meal passes for $30 for children and $95 for adults, redeemable for various meals and snacks throughout the parks. Reports indicate that Disney World is also offering more quick meal options, affordable food for children, and more flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute the surge in dining costs inside the parks as a major factor contributing to decreased customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, stated that customer satisfaction ratings have fallen from 90% to 60% following Disney’s shift from a la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many popular restaurants.
While Testa acknowledged the positive impact of Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he warned that these moves may not signify a genuine commitment to improving affordability or enhancing guest satisfaction. He noted, “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”